Synonyms of renounce

renounce

verb

ri-ˈnau̇n(t)s 

1

as in to relinquish

to give up (as a position of authority) formally

in wake of the corruption scandal, the congressman was forced to renounce his seat in the House

Synonyms & Similar Words

• relinquish
• resign
• abdicate
• cede
• deny
• surrender
• waive
• abnegate
• step down (from)
• abjure
• disavow
• vacate
• disown
• step aside (from)
• abandon
• forsake
• disclaim
• demit
• yield
• give up
• hand over
• desert
• quit

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• claim
• assume
• appropriate
• seize
• protect
• confiscate
• defend
• arrogate
• take over
• secure
• usurp
• safeguard
• guard
• wrest

2

as in to withdraw

to solemnly or formally reject or go back on (as something formerly adhered to)

after another failed romance he vowed that he was renouncing the world and becoming a monk

Synonyms & Similar Words

• withdraw
• retract
• deny
• contradict
• relinquish
• abandon
• forswear
• refute
• abjure
• recant
• repeal
• repudiate
• foreswear
• renege
• take back
• abnegate
• forsake
• disavow
• unsay
• disown
• spurn
• recall
• disclaim
• revoke
• gainsay
• surrender
• negate
• disprove
• controvert
• disagree (with)
• rebut
• dispute
• negative
• disallow
• give up
• back down
• backtrack
• back off
• bolt

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• maintain
• declare
• acknowledge
• claim
• assert
• admit
• affirm
• contend
• adhere (to)
• proclaim
• state
• defend
• profess
• support
• accept
• confirm
• endorse
• adopt
• uphold
• vow
• embrace
• avow
• back
• vouch
• indorse
• espouse

Synonym Chooser

How is the word renounce distinct from other similar verbs?

The words abdicate and resign are common synonyms of renounce. While all three words mean "to give up a position with no possibility of resuming it," renounce may replace it but often implies additionally a sacrifice for a greater end.

renounced her inheritance by marrying a commoner

When could abdicate be used to replace renounce?

Although the words abdicate and renounce have much in common, abdicate implies a giving up of sovereign power or sometimes an evading of responsibility such as that of a parent.

abdicated the throne

When is it sensible to use resign instead of renounce?

While in some cases nearly identical to renounce, resign applies to the giving up of an unexpired office or trust.

resigned from the board

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of renounce

Cromwell came up with a legal solution for the king’s problem, pushing Parliament to pass a series of acts that renounced papal authority and declared Henry the supreme head of the nascent Church of England. —Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Mar. 2025

His most original and moving character here is Naz, the one who has renounced the legacy of leadership, the one who seeks self-definition, considers fatherhood (the playwright became a parent in 2021) and wanders the lakes of Ontario in search of the photographic sublime. —Jesse Green, New York Times, 18 Mar. 2025

Renunciation Of Pseudo-Agile: To be truly agile today, teams must be willing to renounce what is commonly misinterpreted as agile. —Federico Imparatta, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025

This would be a permanent, binding agreement renouncing their claim to the full territory in exchange for a delimited territory south and/or east of the dividing line. —Hannah Rae Armstrong, Foreign Affairs, 4 Mar. 2025